Bryant’s death came only months after O’Neal’s sister died of cancer, leaving O’Neal grieving and unable to sleep well. The latest loss only compounded that pain, he said, and was made worse when he learned that Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also on the helicopter. Emotion welled up in his voice throughout the appearance, but when a fellow sportscaster tried to offer him a break, O’Neal stopped him. “I work a lot, you guys know. But I just really have to now take time and call and say, ‘I love you.’”

Source: New York Times January 29, 2020 12:47 UTC